Franklin County: D. O. Gehr to Simon Cameron,
January 5, 1861
Summary:
Gehr wants to write Lincoln about Alexander K. McClure. Gehr considers McClure a
lying scoundrel and offers to back Cameron for an appointment to Lincoln's
cabinet.
January 5/1861
Chambersburg Pennsylvania
Honorable Simon Cameron
Washington
City
DC
Mr Alexander K McClure in his return from Springfield whilst tarrying for a short time at Pittsburg telegraphed the Philadelphia & New York papers his return, and the effect produced on Mr Lincoln by his visit, From the nature of the Dispatch McClure is evidently making an effort to impose on the President Elect.
Pennsylvania is desirous of being represented in Mr Lincoln's Cabinet, and there
is no other person thought or spoken of for that position
than yourself in Pennsylvania the great body of the Republican as well a portion
of the Democratic party expect Mr Lincoln to have
Pennsylvania represented in his
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by you in whom they have the most
implicit confidence upon all the leading Questions which the state of Pennsylvania are interested, and
all national Questions to which the Republican Party are identified Mr McClure is aware of all these facts but from his
personal hostility to you and probably to be bought off his
favorite project, my impression is the only hope left to accomplish his
purpose, is to create an impression on the mind of Mr. Lincoln that there is a
great diversity of opinion as regards the person and also a formidable
opposition in our party against you, therefore Pa
better be passed by and the position assigned to some one from Jersey, Now sir
if Mr Lincoln was as well acquainted with this man
McClure as I am he would avoid his council as that of the most loathsome
& infectious disease, he is [unclear: plausible]
untruthful & corrupt and it will not
require any great length of time to find out these qualities and to a stranger
[illeg.]
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very dangerous man, and from the character of
Mr Lincoln as represented and which I firmly
believe to be correct I do not think he would take council from [deleted: from] any such a man as McClure or those connected with him after a
more intimate acquaintance.
I have no personal acquaintance with Mr Lincoln but as one of his Electors in the College from the 17th District I desire to address a letter to Mr Lincoln stating the position you occupy as regards the Republican Party and the interest which the State has in your having the position designated by Pennsylvania in his Cabinet and also to inform him partially who McClure is, his character &c if agreeable to you.
I remain your most
obedient servant
D. O. Gehr
